2010-30531. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 1, 2010.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Cotton Classing, Testing, and Standards.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0008.

Summary of Collection: The U.S. Cotton Standards Act, 7 U.S.C. 51 53 and 55, authorizes the USDA to supervise the various activities directly associated with the classification or grading of cotton, cotton linters, and cottonseed based on official USDA Standards. The Cotton Program of the Agricultural Marketing Service carries out this supervision and is responsible for the maintenance of the functions to which these forms relate. USDA is the only Federal agency authorized to establish and promote the use of the official cotton standards of the U.S. in interstate and foreign commerce and to supervise the various activities associated with the classification or grading of cotton, cotton linters, and cottonseed based on official USDA standards.

Need and Use of the Information: The Agricultural Marketing Service uses the following forms to collection information:

Form FD-210 is submitted by owners of cotton to request cotton classification services. The request contains information for USDA to ascertain proper ownership of the samples submitted, to distribute classification results, and bill for services. Information about the origin and handling of the cotton is necessary in order to properly evaluate and classify the samples.

Form CN-246 is submitted by cotton gins and warehouses seeking to serve as licensed samplers. Licenses issued by the USDA-AMS Cotton Program authorize the warehouse/gin to draw and submit samples to insure the proper application of standards in the classification of cotton and to prevent deception in their use.

Form CN-383 is a package of forms designated as CN-383-a through CN-383-k that is submitted by cotton producers, ginners, warehousemen, cooperatives, manufacturers, merchants, and crushers interested in acquiring cotton classification standards and round testing services.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 530.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; on occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 136.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Cotton Classification and Market News Service.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0009.

Summary of Collection: The Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act, 7 U.S. Code 471-476, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to collect and publish annually statistics or estimates concerning the grades and staple lengths of stocks of cotton. In addition, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) collects, authenticates, publishes, and distributes timely information of the market supply, demand, location, and market prices for cotton (7 U.S.C. 473B). This information is needed and used by all segments of the cotton industry.

Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on the quality of cotton in the carryover stocks along with the size or volume of the carryover. Growers use this information in making decisions relative to marketing their present crop and planning for the next one; cotton merchants use the information in marketing decisions; and the mills that provide the data also use the combined data in planning their future purchase to cover their needs. Importers of U.S. cotton use the data in making their plans for purchases of U.S. cotton. AMS and other government agencies are users of the compiled information.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 725.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Weekly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 770.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under Regulations (Other than Rules of Practice) Under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0031.

Summary of Collection: The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) establishes a code of fair trading practices covering the marketing of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables in interstate or foreign commerce. It protects growers, shippers and distributors by prohibiting unfair practices. PACA requires nearly all persons who operate as commission merchants, dealers and brokers buying or selling fruit and or vegetables in interstate or foreign commerce to be licensed. The license for retailers and grocery wholesalers is effective for three years and for all other licensees up to three years, unless withdrawn.

Need and Use of the Information: Using various forms, AMS will collect information from the applicant to administer licensing provisions under the Act, to adjudicate contract disputes, and for the purpose of enforcing the PACA and its regulations. If this information were unavailable, it would be impossible to identify and regulate those individuals or firms that are restricted due to sanctions imposed because of the reparation or administrative actions.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.

Number of Respondents: 14,492.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 87,328.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Reporting Forms under Milk Marketing Order Programs.

OMB Control Number: 0581-0032.

Summary Of Collection: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) oversees the administration of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended. The Act is designed to improve returns to producers while protecting the interests of consumers. The Federal Milk Marketing Order regulations require places certain requirements on the handling of milk in the area it covers. Currently, there are 10 milk marketing orders regulating the handling of milk in the respective marketing areas.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is needed to administer the classified pricing system and related requirements of each Federal Order. Forms are used for reporting purposes and to establish the quantity of milk received by handlers, the pooling status of the handler, and the class-use of the milk used by the handler and the butterfat content and amounts of other components of the milk. Without the monthly information, the market administrator would not have the information to compute each monthly price nor know if handlers were paying producers on dates prescribed in the order. Penalties are imposed for violation of the order, such as the failure to pay producers by the prescribed dates.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Individuals or households; Farms.

Number of Respondents: 740.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; Monthly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 22,315.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.